The Portland daily press., 1887-12-16
naatb of Gov. Rodwe,i,

Governor Bodwell's death was unexpected.
Had il taken place week ago the public
would have been little surprised, for it was
feared then that he was fatally i'll. But the
favorable reports for several days past had
given the impression that he was on the
mending hand so that the public was almost
wholly unprepared for the sad announce
ment which came in the early morning of
yesterday.
Gov. Bodwell was born in Methuen, Mass,
in 1918. His father was poor,and at an early
age young Bodweli found himself obliged to
earn his own living. After working on the
farm of his uncle for number of years, he
learned the trade of shoemaker, working at
this business evenings and attending school
in the day time. At twenty years of age he
purchased with his father a farm in West
Methuen, and for ten years, until his fathers
death, worked upon it. His attention was
first turned to the business of granite quar-
rying while engaged in hauling that ma
terial for the construction of the immense
granite dam at Lawrence. In 1852, in COM
pany with the Hon. Moses Webster, he be-
gan to work the granite quarries of South
Fox Island, now vinalhaven, at the mouth
of Penobscot Bay. He began operations
with one yoke of oxen, which he drove him
self The business grew apace, and in time
a company of capitalists was formed to pros
ecute on large scale the business which
Mr.. Bodwell had begun. This company was
called the Bodwell Granite Company, and
Mr.. Bodwell was chosen its president, and
continued to hold the Office to the time of
l. r.. nd hfc diraafinn fha
became one Of the leading concerns of its
kind in the country, and remains so to-day.
Mr.. Bodwell removed to Hallowell in 1866,
and after securing control Of the extensive
granite quarries in that neighborhood, organ
lied in 1870 the Hallowell Granite Company,
Of which he was the head at the time of his
death. Though it was as worker Of gran
lite that Mr.. Bodwell gained his first start in
life, he has been connected with many other
enterprises. He was President of the Bod
well Water Power Company of Oldtown,
President of the Boston and New York Rail-
road Company, and was considerably inter-
ested in numbering.
Previous to his election as governor Mr.
Bodwell had twice represented Hallowel in
the State Legislature, and had been mayor
Of that city two years. In 1880 and 1884 he
was delegate at large TO the Republican Ma
tional election. One the 9th Of June 1886 he
was nominated for governor of this State by
the Republicans and at the election in Sep
TENDER was chosen to that Office by 1900
plurality.
BY the death of Gov. Bodwell the State
loses not only its executive head, but also a
public spirited citizen who has created great
enterprises which have been of great value
to our people, and have contributed much
TO the prosperity of the State. Long before
he became Governor Mr. Bodwell was known
and respected throughout the State for his
business capacity and success; for his inter-
est in all good causes and his liberality in pro-
noting them; for his simplicity and upright
ness of character. He had seen little of
public life when the people Of Maine elected
him to the governorship against his wish, al
most against his protest. AS the chief mag
istrate Of the State his course has been dis
tinguished by the same traits that character
lied his career in private life. He has per-
formed the duties that devolyed upon him
with care and consciousness, and with
an eye single to the welfare of the State.
Mistakes he may have made, but his general
course has been one to commend him to the
people Of the State without distinction of
party. as thoroughly upright, faithful and
conscientious public officer. Governor
Bodwell was the architect of his own for
tune. and his career is conspicuous illustra-
tion of the possibilities before the young
man in a land where the avenues to success
In life are open to every one on equal terms.
What he was he made himself. He began
the battle of life with no reliance but a clear
head, a sound body and correct moral
sense, but industry and perseverance coupled
with good Judgment brought him wealth
and honor. His life was noble one, noble
in its aspirations and in its achievements,
and the story of it should be an inspiration
to every young man. His pathway at the
outset was filled with discouragements and
there was little promise of the signal success
he was destined to achieve. But he battled
on until he had conquered them all and
placed his name high up in the list of the
honored men of his State. Against his name
lie now set the asterisk of death, but his
memory will be cherished so long as men
continue 10 admire life of high aspiration.
of noble achievement, of conscientious per-
Torrance of duty.